Sunday, August 14, 2011

Four deer pulled from the icy waters of Stephens Passage, Alaska

Four deer werepulled from the icy waters of Stephens Passage, Alaska, by a group of locals onTom Satre's 62-foot charter vessel. Four juvenile Sitka black-tailed deer swam directly toward the boat.

Once the deer reached the boat, the four began to circle the boat, looking directly at the humans on board. Clearly, the bucks were distressed. With help, the typically skittish and absolutely wild animals came willingly onto the boat.

Once on board, they collapsed with exhaustion, shivering.

Here the rescued bucks rest on the back of Tom Satre's boat, the Alaska Quest.

All four deer were transported to TakuHarbour. Once the group reached the dock, the first buck that had been pulled from the water hopped onto the dock, looked back, then leapt into the harbour, swam to shore, and disappeared into the forest.

After a bit of prodding and assistance from the humans, two others followed suit, but onedeer needed more help...Here he is being transported by Tom Satre:

Tom, Anna and Tim Satre help the last of the "button" bucks to its feet.

They did not know how long the deer had been in the icy waters or iftherehad been others who did not survive. The good Samaritans (humans) describe their experience as "one of those defining moments in life." I'm sure it was for the deer, as well.

Wild animals do not suddenly change their natural wariness of humans for no reason. Something extremely unusual caused these deer to react in this manner. I do not wish to speculate on the reason for this occurence but, I would expect the local scientific & ecological institutions to be onto this pronto !

We had a squirrel come up onto our boat in Arkansas when we were out in the middle of the lake swimming..He just needed a rest as he had swam so far. We just let him hang out on the boat till he was ready to start moving again. Deer would have been a bit big for our boat, but we would gladly have helped if they showed up. I love animals, except snakes, spiders. LOL

This is what happens when people have socialism shoved down their throats. Why save the deer, when they could eat them??? It just doesn't make any sense, deer are food, nothing more. Would you "save" a loaf of bread? This is what Obama and his liberal socialized (public) education system have brought us. STOP THE SOCIALISM, STOP THE DEGENERATION OF SOCIETY. LONG LIVE THE TEA PARTY REVOLUTION!!!!!!

This is such a touching story it made me cry,smile and sad all at the same time it really dose make you wonder what happened.I really hope someone finds out and lets us know.Peace and many blessings to the people who helped these deers....

isn't it amazing how "Anonymous" could make a political statement out of the rescuing of these creatures. Wonderful that the animals did trust the humans and yes, there is some kind of geological reason for the trek.

Whoever the poster was that made the silly political statement about the loaf of bread is a plant to try to make Tea Party people look stupid. They would never say, let alone think, something so ridiculous. This was a touching, humane story. Don't try to use it for political mud-stirring.

Deer are known to swim some distances at times - for new ground to forage for pasture/browse or to escape predation. Those deer are in great shape, carrying excess fat making them able to undertake such swims in such cold water occasionally! Something they aren't good at is judging unusual tides, and knowing the difference between swimming across a lake and the ocean! I raised deer on a deer farm for 20 years (before semi "retiring' & taking to the ocean as a charter skipper). We once took a hand raised pet fawn to the beach one Christmas Holidays - it would swim out into the ocean for fun and return to shore to my wife's voice call (he bonded with her because she bottle fed him every 2 hours thru the night for a month or two at the start). Deer CAN be wonderful animals and make good pets - my daughter had that particular deer for about 18 years all told, but the bucks when they get older and grow antlers and get into the rut can be dangerous - it's best not to humanize entire bucks because they can be aggressive unless sterilized when young, and antlers can be fatal to humans! Tom Satre & family - what a great story & example to your kids, and the rest of the world - a Charter Skipper to be proud of! (Coming from another charter skipper!) Well done all round!Almost enough to restore faith in humanity!If I lived long enough - it'd be an honor to fish with Tom and his family some day God willing! Cheers

What a great story! I have always said that there are only two types of people on this planet; human beings and every body else. These people are clearly human beings. God Bless and a long happy life. As one of the posters said: You made good Karma. As I am saying: You done good.

Never forget the day I realized that my neighbours dog & cat did NOT feel any different about themselves as I did!... Up till that moment I had always felt a little sorry for animals and their fate ; to have been born to animals (instead of humans ...!) one of the most defining moments of my life!... After that day I have had so many situations where species barriers were completely ignored/removed... and the communication /helping each other out was as given and natural as 1 - 2 - 3 as the saying goes!

I remember when a rabbit tried to get into a rowboat with then president Jimmy Carter. The rabbit didn't make it. I believe Mr Carter hit himin the head with an oar. Its a good thing those deer didn't try to get into a boat piloted by GeorgeBush Junior.

read a story about a blue whale that got a bunch of netting wrapped around it in califorina scuba divers cut the stuff off the whale took a long time, the nets were tangled around its eyes- as they carefully cut, the whales big eye followed- once the job was done the whale swam around- nudging the divers and swam away-

We (people AND animals) were initially created to live in harmony so this incident shouldn't really be that surprising. Some of the human population just haven't had the chance to live with nature as it was meant to be...and still others would rather see it decimated.

It is good that the deer were saved for a future meal, as the fishermen appear to have been well fed in preparation of the voyage.Most hunters and fishermen know that the deer are out of season at this time, and it would have been poaching had they attempted any alternative to what the humane efforts afforded.

@ Anonymous "It is good that the deer were saved for a future meal, as the fishermen appear to have been well fed in preparation of the voyage. Most hunters and fishermen know that the deer are out of season at this time, and it would have been poaching had they attempted any alternative to what the humane efforts afforded"

... the bombastic fustian grandiloquence of your comment style elocutes mere rhetorical frippery. From this earth, are you not?

Hahaha, just wanted you to see that pomposity is a choice :-) , and you're still a goober!

Hello World ! I´m sorry that my English is not the best as it isn´t my mother tongue. All I want to express is that this is some example of humans good heart. Even the animals where sure astonished about the silence talk with good-hearted people. Hope you understand what I´m saying in a foreign language to you, the deer did anyway. God bless everyone who understands !

Exactly what a fantastic account! We have constantly asserted you can find just 2 kinds of folks with this earth; humans each other person. This type of person obviously humans. The almighty Consecrate plus a extended pleased living. Among the cards stated: You have made great Juice. Much like me stating: An individual carried out great.

These are the same people who help out at a disaster. No questions asked, they just pitch-in and help. The deer also appreciate and understand, most are hesitant because they have no idea what type of human they are approaching so they run away. God Bless.

Haha I can't even imagine! That's certainly one heck of a fishing story. Certainly one they wont be forgetting anytime soon. I would hope anyone else would do the same thing, but I guess some people aren't so kind.